Global Trade Data

Build applications that consume and analyze international trade data.

Quick Reference

HS Code Structure

01          Chapter (2-digit) - Live animals
0101        Heading (4-digit) - Horses, asses, mules
010110      Subheading (6-digit) - Pure-bred breeding horses
01011010    National (8-10 digit) - Country-specific

Key Country Codes

Country	Comtrade	ISO3	ISO2
Israel	376	ISR	IL
USA	842	USA	US
China	156	CHN	CN
Germany	276	DEU	DE
World	0	WLD	-

Trade Flow Codes

Code	Description
M	Imports
X	Exports
RM	Re-imports
RX	Re-exports

Tariff Types

Type	Example	Description
Ad valorem	5%	Percentage of value
Specific	$2/kg	Fixed per unit
Compound	5% + $2/kg	Combined
AVE	7.5%	Ad valorem equivalent

Trade Terminology

Term	Description
FOB	Free on Board - export value (excludes shipping)
CIF	Cost, Insurance, Freight - import value (includes shipping)
MFN	Most Favored Nation - default tariff rate
Preferential	Reduced rate under trade agreement
Bound rate	WTO maximum tariff ceiling
Applied rate	Actual rate charged
Mirror data	Partner's reported trade (for validation)

Available Trade APIs

UN Comtrade (Primary)

• Data: International merchandise trade statistics
• Coverage: 200+ countries, 1962-present
• Library: comtradeapicall (Python)
• Auth: Subscription key for full access
• See: references/apis/un-comtrade.md

World Bank WITS

• Data: Tariffs (UNCTAD TRAINS), trade stats, development indicators
• Coverage: Global, 1988-present
• Auth: None (public API)
• See: references/apis/world-bank-wits.md

UK Trade Tariff

• Data: UK tariff rates and regulations
• Coverage: UK-specific
• See: references/apis/uk-trade-tariff.md

Global Trade Alert

• Data: Trade policy changes (70,000+ interventions)
• Coverage: 50+ jurisdictions, 2009-present
• See: references/apis/global-trade-alert.md

US Tariffs API

• Data: US HTS codes, tariff rates, Section 301 duties
• Coverage: US-specific
• See: references/apis/tariffs-api-us.md

Domain Knowledge

• references/domain/hs-codes.md - HS code system, chapters, revisions
• references/domain/trade-terminology.md - FOB, CIF, MFN, trade balance
• references/domain/tariff-types.md - Ad valorem, specific, AVE
• references/domain/trade-flows.md - Import/export concepts
• references/domain/country-codes.md - ISO, Comtrade codes

Integration Patterns

• references/patterns/multi-source-aggregation.md - Combining APIs
• references/patterns/data-normalization.md - Harmonizing formats
• references/patterns/rate-limiting-strategies.md - Managing quotas